Royal Opera House – Alto CD

Jewels of Russian Ballet

amuletts — Wed, 31 Jan 2024 23:41:50 +0000

“Consistently, one registers the idiomatic feeling as well as of the finesse … If anyone thought that to get these players … would result in a routine account, that is the opposite of what has happened … they have responded with both refinement and red-blooded commitment … sound is exceptionally full and open” (Gramophone) “There’s plenty here that people will recognize instantly as favourites, even though they’d no idea what the titles were.” (interview Mark Ermler 1989)

[1] Stravinsky: The Firebird: Danse Infernale 4:16
[2] Glazunov: Raymonda: Galop 2:25
[3] Prokofiev: Cinderella: Finale 2:40
[4] Khachaturian: Spartacus: Variation of Aegina; Bacchanal 3:16

Minkus: Don Quixote:

[5] Basile’s Variation 0:49 [6] Variation II 1:07 [7] Finale 2:06
[8] Tchaikovsky: The Nutcracker:Waltz of the Flowers 6:47
[9] Minkus: Don Quixote : Variations 40 & 41 4:59

Drigo: Le Corsaire

[10] Adagio 3:24 [11] Variation I 0:55
[12] Variation 11 1:49 [13] Galop 1:32

Prokofiev: Romeo and Juliet:

[14] Dance of the Knights 6:04 [15] Romeo and Tybalt Fight 3:46
[16] Tchaikovsky: Swan Lake: Valse, Act I, No.2 7:59

Glazunov: the Seasons:

[17] Bacchanal 1:00 [18] Waltz of the Cornflowers and Poppies 1:40
[19] Khachaturian: Spartacus: Adagio of Spartacus and Phrygia 9:44
[20] Khachaturian: Gayaneh: Sabre Dance 2:27
[21] Tchaikovsky: The Sleeping Beauty: Valse, Act I, No 7 5:08
[22] Stravinsky: The Firebird: Finale 2:57

Britten: Simple Symphony ; Spring Symphony; Four Sea Interludes

amuletts — Wed, 31 Jan 2024 23:40:42 +0000

(Spring Sym) “confirmed in my admiration by this, both technically and musically among the best things the gramophone has given us. The music is not difficult for any open-minded listener to enjoy…filled with the composer’s ecstatic response to the manifold beauties of springtime, of innocence and eager youth… Such a performance, and such a recording, were worth waiting for” (Gramophone) “Memorable as it is joyous” (Penguin Guide) (Four Sea Interludes) “evokes the very different moods of the Sea Interludes intensely and atmospherically”(Gramophone)

Simple Symphony Op.4
I Musici directed by Felix Ayo Rec.1959

[1] I. Boisterous Bourée 2.31 [3] III. Sentimental Sarabande 7.20
[2] II. Playful Pizzicato 3.12 [4] IV. Frolicsome Finale 2.47

Peter Grimes – Four Sea Interludes
Royal Opera House Orchestra conducted Benjamin Britten Rec.1958

[5] Dawn 3.35 [7] Moonlight 4.20
[6] Sunday Morning 3.49 [8] Storm 4.14

Spring Symphony Op.44
Jennifer Vyvyan (Sopr); Norma Proctor (Contralto); Peter Pears (Tenor) with the
Chorus & Orchestra of the Royal Opera, Covent Garden;
Chorus of Boys from Emanuel School, Wandsworth, London

[9] Part 1 Introduction: Shine Out (Anon. 16th century)
The Merry Cuckoo (Spenser) Spring the Sweet Spring (Nashe)
The Driving Boy (Peele, Clare) The Morning Star (Milton) 17.43
[10] Part 2 Welcome Maids of Honour (Herrick)
Waters Above Out on the Lawn I Lie in Bed (Auden) 11.14
[11] Part 3 When will my May Come (Barnefield)
Fair and Fair (Peele) Sound the Flute (Blake) 5.53
[12] Part 4 Finale:London, To thee I do Present (Beaumont/Flatcher) 7.18

Chorus of the Hebrew Slaves

amuletts — Wed, 31 Jan 2024 23:40:21 +0000

“For many, Opera is not just about large sopranos and dashing tenors sharing tender moments in duets, or villainous baritones, or even erring daughters; we also relish the thrill of a fine chorus rising to an old favourite such as the Chorus of the Hebrew Slaves, the Aida Grand March and other noble melodies. Such pieces have long been popular; they are also extremely rewarding for the singers …. Since many operas open with a chorus, the responsibility falls upon choristers to set the standard” (James Murray)

1. Gloria del’Egitto (Aidea:Verdi) 5.32
Singverein der Gesellschaft der Musikfreunde
Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra / Herbert von Karajan (1959)
2. Va pensiero* (Chorus of the Hebrew Slaves) (Nabucco:Verdi) 4.50
3. Anvil Chorus* (Il Trovatore:Verdi) 2.46
4. Soldiers’ Chorus* (Il Trovatore:Verdi) /Chorus of Maggio Musicale, Fiorentino / 2.20
Orchestra Grand Théatre de Genève /Alberto Erede (1957)
5. Zitti, zitti* (Rigoletto:Verdi) 1.39
6. Noi siamo zingarelle…Di Madride noi siam Mattadori (La Traviata:Verdi) 5.47
Chorus & Orchestra of Rome Opera / Tullio Serafin, Rec.1958
7. Fuoco di Gioia! (Otello:Verdi) Vienna State Opera Chorus / 2.47
Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra / Herbert von Karajan, Rec.1960
8. Humming Chorus** (Madama Butterfly:Puccini) / Tullio Serafin (1957) 3.18
Chorus & Orchestra Accademia di Santa Cecilia, Rome /
9. Giro la cote (Turandot:Puccini) / Alberto Erede (1957) 7.26
10. Easter Hymn** (Cavalleria Rusticana:Mascagni) /Giulietta Simionato/Serafin (1960) 4.25
11. Bell Chorus** (I Pagliacci:Leoncavallo) / Francesco Molinari-Pradelli (1958) 2.33
12. Soldiers’ Chorus* (Faust:Gounod) 4.01
13. Les voici, les voici*(Carmen:Bizet) 3.57
14. O fortuna (Carmina Burana:Orff) 2.45
Rutgers University Choir / Philadelphia Orchestra / Eugene Ormandy (1960)
15. Coronation Scene*** (Boris Godunov:Mussorgsky) 4.47
Chorus & Orchestra Bolshoi Theatre / Mark Ermler, Rec.1985
16. Prisoner’s Chorus (Fidelio:Bethoven) /Kurt Wehofschitz & Raymond Wolansky 3.03
Philharmonia Chorus & Orchestra / Otto Klemperer, Rec.1962
17. Huntsmen’s Chorus (Der Freischutz:Weber) 2.35
Chorus & Orchestra of Bavarian Radio / Eugen Jochum, Rec.1960
18. Steurmann, lacht die wacht (Der Fliegende Holländer:Wagner) 3.07
Chorus and Orchestra Royal Opera House, Covent Garden / Antal Dorati (1960)
19. Bridal Chorus* (Lohengrin:Wagner) 4.53
20. Wach auf * (Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg:Wagner) 2.48